CHAPTER 3

PART 4 - MOMENT DISTRIBUTION :

FRAMES
Expected Outcomes
Able to do moment distribution for frames.
MDM for Frame without SIDE-SWAY
• MDM- solving indeterminate structures is a process in which the
moment in the members are determined by successive approximation.
• Does not result in moment diagram but it provides the magnitude and
sense of the internal moments at joint – to obtain the shear and
bending moment.

• TERM USED
• Fixed end moment (FEM)
• Carry over factor
• Stiffness or resistance to rotation of a member

Clockwise moments are considered positive

Whereas, counterclockwise is negative
MDM for Frame without SIDE-SWAY
Summary
• Stiffness for member: end is pinned
equal to:

3EI
K
L

• Stiffness for member: end is fixed

equal to:

4 EI
K
L
EXAMPLE 1: Frame WITHOUT sidesway
Determine the final moment for frame ABCD shown below. Hence
Draw the SFD and BMD.EI is indicate in the figure.

100kN

3m 3m

B 2EI C

3m Cable / Tie Rod

4EI
EI

A D
Fixed End Moment (MF)

F F F F
M AB  M BA  M CD  M DC  0
F Pab2 F
M BC   2  75kNm  M CB  75kNm
L
Distribution Factor (DF)

JOINT MEMBER K K DF
4(4EI) 16EI
A AB  0
3 3
4(4EI)
BA 0.8
3 20EI
B
4(2EI) 3
BC 0.2
6
4(2EI)
CB 0.5
6 8EI
C
4EI 3
CD 0.5
3
4EI 4EI
D DC  0
3 3
Table Moment Distribution

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

DF 0 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.5 0

FEM 0 0 -75 75 0 0

Bal 0 60 15 -37.5 -37.5 0

CO 30 0 -18.75 7.5 0 -18.75
Bal 0 15 3.75 -3.75 -3.75 0
CO 7.5 0 -1.88 1.88 0 -1.88
Bal 0 1.5 0.37 -0.94 -0.94 0
CO 0.75 0 -0.47 0.19 0 -0.47
Bal 0 0.38 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0

End
Moment 38.25 76.88 -76.88 42.28 -42.29 -21.10
Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagram

55.58
76.85 42.23
+_ C
B
_ B C
44.20
_
+ 90.50

38.25 21.10 38.25 21.00

A D A D

SFD BMD
EXAMPLE 2: Frame WITHOUT side-sway
Determine the final moment for frame ABCDF with overhanging member
shown below. Draw the BMD.EI is indicate in the figure.

5 kN 15 kN 10 kN

B C F
E
4EI 4EI 3EI

5 kN/m 4EI 4EI 4m

A D

2m 2m 2m 3m 2m
Fixed End Moment (MF)
F
M AB  6.67kNm
F
M BA  6.67kNm
F
M BC  7.5kNm
F
M CB  75kNm
F F
M CD  M DC  0
F
M CF  4.8kNm
F
M FC  7.2kNm
F
M BE  5(2)  10kNm
Distribution Factor (DF)

JOINT MEMBER K K DF
4(4EI)
BA 0.5
4
4(4EI)
B BC 8EI 0.5
4

BE 0 0

4(4EI)
CB
4
4(4EI) 49EI
C CD 5
4
3(3EI)
CF
5
Table Moment Distribution **Note:
Any no. divide by infinity 

JOINT A B C D F E

Member AB BA BC BE CB CD CF DC FC EB

DF 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 1.0 0

FEM -6.67 6.67 -7.5 10.0 7.5 0 -4.8 0 7.2 0

Bal -4.59 -4.49 0 -7.2

CO
Bal
CO
Bal
CO
Bal

End 0 0
Moment
5 kN 15 kN 10 kN
10 11.74 6.34 7.63
B C F
E
4EI 4EI 3EI
1.78
1.29

5 kN/m 4EI 4EI 4m

9.13 A 0.65 D

2m 2m 2m 3m 2m
BMD 15

12
11.74
7.63
10
6.34
E
1.78 B 1.29 C F

10

9.13 A D
 MDM for Frame with SIDE-SWAY
• The frames that are non-symmetrical or subjected to non-symmetrical
loadings have a tendency to SIDE-SWAY
• Application of this technique is illustrated as below.
P P
∆ ∆
R R’

Horizontal displacement Virtual Prop Force Virtual Prop Force is REMOVED

are EQUAL (No side-sway) (side-sway)
Summary
• Stiffness for member: end is pinned
equal to:

3EI
K
L

• Stiffness for member: end is fixed

equal to:
4 EI
K
L
Summary
• Moment produced at each member
when one end of member is displaced
relative to other and both ends are
FIXED

6 EI L
M  2
L
• Moment produced at the near end of
a member if the remote end is
displaced relative to the near end with
remote end held in position but
allowed to rotate


3EI
M 2 L
L
EXAMPLE 1:
A portal frame ABCD as shown in Figure below is subjected to UDL of 2 kN
on column AB. EI is constant. Analyze the frame structure using Moment
Distribution Method.

5m

B C

2 kN/m 5m

A D
Case 1:
Fixed End Moment (MF): Non-sway Analysis

Column AB
F
M AB  4.17 kNm
F
M BA  4.17 kNm

Beam BC
F F
M BC  M CB  0

Column CD
F F
M CD  M DC  0
Distribution Factor (DF)

JOINT MEMBER K K DF
3EI 3EI
A AB 1
5 5
3EI
BA 0.429
5 7EI
B
4EI 5
BC 0.571
5
4EI
CB 0.571
5 7EI
C
3EI 5
CD 0.429
5
3EI 3EI
D DC 1
5 5
Table Moment Distribution (Non-Sway)
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

DF 1 0.429 0.571 0.571 0.429 1

MF -4.17 4.17 0 0 0 0

Bal 4.17 -1.79 -2.38

CO 2.08 0 -1.19
Bal -0.89 -1.19 0.68 0.51
CO 0.34 -0.60
Bal -0.15 -0.19 0.34 0.26
CO 0.17 -0.10
Bal -0.07 -0.10 0.06 0.04
CO 0.03 -0.05
Bal -0.01 -0.02 0.03 0.02
End
Moment 0 3.34 -3.34 -0.83 0.83 0
Horizontal Reactions
3.34 kNm 0.83 kNm
B C

2 kN/m

HA HD
A D

M B  0, M C  0,
H A (5)  3.34 2(5)(52)  0  HD (5)  0.83  0
H A  4.332kN HD  0.166kN
Forces acting
∆ ∆
R R’

= +

To find sway forces, R


 FH  0,
R  2(5)  0.166  4.332
 R  5.834kN
 Case 2:
Fixed End Moment (MF): Sway Analysis
B’ C’
5.834kN F F 3EI 3EI
B C M AB  M BA  2  2
L 5
F F
M BC  M CB  0

F F 3 EI 3EI
M CD  M DC    
L2 52
therefore ,
M F AB , BA : M F CD , DC
A D 3EI 3EI
 2 : 2
5 5
(  1 : 1 )  5 .... * assume any no.
 5 : 5
Table Moment Distribution (Sway Analysis)

Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

DF 1 0.429 0.571 0.571 0.429 1

MF -5 -5 0 0 -5 -5

Bal 5 2.14 2.86 2.86 2.14 5

CO 1.43 1.43
Bal -0.61 -0.82 -0.82 -0.61
CO -0.41 -0.41
Bal 0.18 0.23 0.23 0.18
CO 0.12 0.12
Bal -0.05 -0.07 -0.07 -0.05
CO -0.04 -0.04
Bal 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Assumed
Sway 0 -3.32 3.32 3.32 -3.32 0
Moments
Horizontal Reactions
-3.32 -3.32
B C

HA HD
A D

M B  0, M C  0,
H A (5)  3.32  0 HD (5)  3.32  0
H A  0.664kN HD  0.664kN
R’
Note:
Symbol of R’ = S

0.664 kN 0.664 kN

To find R'

 FH  0
R '0.664  0.664
 R '  1.328 kN
Correction Factor and Final Moment
R 5 .834
 ASM    4 .39
R ' 1 .328

A B C D
Assume 0 -3.32 3.32 3.32 -3.32 0
sway
moment
Actual 0 -14.58* 14.58 14.58 -14.58 0
sway
moment
(ASM)
(Non-sway 0 3.34 -3.34 -0.83 0.83 0
moment)
Final 0 -11.24 11.24 13.75 -13.75 0
Moments

**ASM x Assume sway moment

Horizontal Reactions
-11.24 kNm -13.75
B C

2 kN/m

HA HD
A D

M B  0, M C  0,
H A  7.25kN HD  2.75kN
EXAMPLE 2:
A portal frame ABCD as shown in Figure below is subjected to point load
of 100 kN at member BC. EI is constant. Analyze using Moment
Distribution Method.

100 kN
3m 3m 4m
B C

3m

A D
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 2:

100 kN 100 kN
B
B C C

A D A D

+
∆B  ∆
C

∆CD
∆BC 

A D
Case 1:
Fixed End Moment (MF): Non-sway Analysis

F F F F
M AB  M BA  M CD  M DC  0
F F
 M BC  M CB  75kNm
Distribution Factor (DF)

JOINT MEMBER K K DF
4EI 4EI
A AB  0
3 3
4EI
BA 0.67
3
B 2EI
4EI
BC 0.33
6
4EI
CB 0.53
6 19EI
C
3EI 15
CD 0.47
5
3EI 3EI
D DC 1
5 5
Table Moment Distribution (Non-sway Analysis)
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

DF 0 0.67 0.33 0.53 0.47 1

MF 0 0 -75 75 0 0

Bal 50.3 24.7 -39.75 -35.25

CO 25.2 -19.9 12.4 -17.63
Bal 0 13.3 6.6 -6.6 -5.8 17.63
CO 6.7 -3.3 3.3
Bal 0 2.2 1.1 -1.7 -1.6
CO 1.1 -0.85 0.55
Bal 0 0.57 0.28 -0.29 -0.26

End
33.0 66.37 -66.37 42.91 -42.91 0
Moments
Horizontal Reactions

66.37
B
HB

M A  0,
 HB (3)  33.0  66.37  0
HB  33.12kN
33.0
HA
A
 100
66.37 42.91

HB HC

VB VC

M B  0,
VC (6)  66.37  (100 3)  42.91 0
VC  46.1kN
F y  0,
VB VC100 0
VB  53.9kN
 46.1

HC
C
- 42.91
M D  0,
HC (3)  (46.1 4)  42.91 0
HC  75.77kN

HD
D

VD
 33.12 kN
R 75.77 kN

To find R

 FH  0
R  HB  HC  0
R  33 .12  75 .77  0
 R  42.65kN
Case 2:
Fixed End Moment (MF): Sway Analysis

∆B  ∆ 4  BC 4
C tan     BC 
3  3
∆CD
∆BC 
4  BC 5
sin    CD 
A D 5 CD 3


therefore,
S S6 EI 6 EI 6 EI
M AB  M BA  2  2 
L 3 9
4
S S 6 EI 6 EI ( 3 ) 2 EI
M BC  M CB   2   2

L 6 9
5
S 3EI 3 EI (
3
) EI
M CD  2  2

L 5 5
assume EI   45 , therefore :
S S S
M AB , BA :M BC , CB :M CD , DC

6 EI  2 EI  EI 
: :
9 9 5
30 :  10 : 9
Table Moment Distribution (Sway Analysis)
Member AB BA BC CB CD DC

DF 0 0.67 0.33 0.53 0.47 1

MF 30 30 -10 -10 9 0

Bal -13.4 -6.6 0.53 0.47

CO -6.7 0.27 -3.3 0.24
Bal 0 -0.18 -0.09 1.75 1.55
CO -0.09 0.88 -0.5
Bal 0 -0.59 -0.29 0.27 0.23
CO -0.3 0.14 -0.15
Bal 0 -0.09 -0.05 0.08 0.07

Assume
Sway 22.91 15.74 -15.74 -11.32 11.32 0
Moment
Horizontal Reactions

15.74
B
HB

M A  0,
 HB (3)  22.9115.74  0
HB  12.88kN
HA
A

22.91
 100
-15.74 -11.32

HB HC

VB VC

M B  0,
VC (6) 15.7411.32  0
VC  4.51kN
 4.51

HC
C
11.32
M D  0,
HC (3) 11.32 (4.51 4)  0
HC  9.79kN

HD
D

VD
 12.88 kN
R 9.79 kN

To find R

 FH  0
R  H B  HC  0
R  12 .88  9.79  0
 R  22 .67 kN
Correction Factor and Final Moment

R 42 .65
 ASM    1 .88
R ' 22 .67

A B C D
Assume 22.91 15.74 -15.74 -11.32 11.32 0
sway
moment
Actual 43.07 29.59 -29.59 -21.28 21.28
sway
moment
(ASM)
(Non-sway 33.0 66.37 -66.37 42.91 -42.91 0
moment)
Final 76.07 95.96 -95.96 21.63 -21.63 0
Moments

**ASM x Assume sway moment